Brig. Gen. Terence J. Hildner was 49 years old when he died in Kabul province in Afghanistan on Feb. 3.

The Pentagon reported that he died from “natural causes.”

Hildner was the first general to die in Afghanistan. The most recent military records from last month state that nearly 2,000 service men and women have died in Afghanistan; 374 of those were classified as “non-hostile” deaths (accidents and natural causes), and nearly 70 percent of “non-hostile” deaths were from the U.S. Army (254 in total).

The one-star general led the 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command in Fort Hood, Texas.

“We are truly saddened by the loss of Brigadier General Hildner. This is a tragic loss for the Army, III Corps and for our Central Texas community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his Family and friends. The command will remain focused on assisting the Family through this difficult time,” said Army Lt. Gen. Don Campbell Jr., who is also the commanding general of III Corps and Fort Hood.

A graduate of Notre Dame class of 1984, the son of a retired colonel in the Air Force, a husband and a father of four children were just a few of his non-military roles. He earlier had served in Texas at Fort Bliss.

According to the Department of Defense, he has an extensive list of awards:
-Legion of Merit
-Bronze Star with a single oak leaf cluster
-Defense Meritorious Service Medal
-Army Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
-Joint Service Commendation Medal
-Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
-U.S. Army Achievement Medal with a single oak leaf cluster
-Joint Meritorious Unit Award
-Valorous Unit Award
-National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star
-Southwest Asia Medal with two bronze stars
-Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
-Global War of Terrorism Service Medal
-Humanitarian Service Medal
-Combat Action Badge
-Parachutist Badge